Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Zim defies diamond export ban

Zim defies diamond export ban
by Staff Reporter
30/06/2010 00:00:00

THE Zimbabwe government has resolved to defy the Kimberly Process ban on Chiadzwa diamond exports and endorsed the immediate sell of the gems to raise much-needed funds for the cash-starved economy.

The country has stockpiled four million stones worth an estimated US$1.7 billion extracted from the controversial fields but cannot trade them on the open market after failing to secure the KP endorsement.

But mines minister Obert Mpofu said the country would establish a “transparent and accountable” mechanism for selling the diamonds.

At its meeting held in Israel last week, KP discussions on lifting the Chiadzwa ban were deadlocked amid heightened pressure from rights organisations which claim abuses by the country’s military continue in Chiadzwa.

Western countries opposed lifting the ban although a monitor appointed by the KP, South African, Abbey Chikane, told the body the country had met its minimum conditions.

Mpofu said the Joint Working Plan cobbled-up at a meeting in Namibia to help the Zimbabwe meet the KP conditions made it clear exports could resume once the minimum requirements were met.

He said the diamonds would be sold through the state minerals body, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, MMCZ, the country’s KP certification scheme designated authority.

The ban on Chiadzwa was imposed after the country deployed security services to remove thousands of informal miners who had descended on the area leading t allegations of human rights abuses.

But the government argues these concerns have since been addressed after tow companies, Canadile and Mbada resources were contracted to mine the area jointly with the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

Mpofu claimed Israel, the current KP chair had given Zimbabwe thee green-light to sell its diamonds.
"After hostile nations like the United States, Canada, Australia and civil society failed get support at the Tel Aviv meeting to discredit Abbey Chikane’s report, the KP chair advised the Zimbabwean delegation that, based on the KP monitor’s report confirming compliance, there was nothing stopping Zimbabwe from exporting its diamonds," Mpofu was reported as assaying by a state daily.

Countries that supported Zimbabwe at the Israeli meeting included the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, China, India, Russia and African countries.

Labels: CHIADZWA, DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, OBERT MPOFU

posted by MrK @ 10:26 PM